Tag Archives: inspiration

Five Final Things I Will Take From Nursing

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It has been 13 months that started with a beautiful baby struggling to nurse in the NICU. My Sweets was born with an elevated white blood count and was kept seven long days in the hospital. He thrived on antibiotics and the feedings of newborn formula. I thought my great plans of nursing would never take form due to our rocky start. Once my milk arrived we bonded and he never again wanted anything but Mama milk. Read about our start here.

The nursing relationship is so hard to explain to someone who has never been a part of it. The sweet quiet and hour long cuddling as my body actually creates food for my child. Even now on the occasional chance that he needs comfort to drift to sleep I savor the moments. Never were they easy. Nursing is hard and time consuming but we made it to our goal!

I haven’t feed him from me once today and believe this marks the end of this special amazing relationship we have had. It will evolve into something else but this beginning, this time together has been one of the most defining of my life.

So many things I learned of myself while feeding my son. That I didn’t need that much sleep to survive, that my patience could be ten fold when he needs me…that I would one day cry at this little bit of letting go.

1. It is about quality and quantity. Many hours passed when he just would not let go and needed comfort. Teething hours, sick hours or new home hours and that was fine because I will never get them back. Savor the time, even on the days it becomes unending. It does eventually end.

2. Babies become adults. I like to think the sweet times between Mother and son or Mother and daughter in the beginning will wholly impact their ability to recognize sweet moments in the future. The days my little one nursed away while pressing in my neck freckles and laughing may have tilted his heart toward showing greater love to others.

3. Showing makes more loved. The giggles and laughter of catching his hand as he reached for my nose or the quick end to sobs reminded me of a Mother’s position. Just as God does for us we are to love before being loved. We are to set the standard for all things in that regard. Make it a good lesson.

4. There are only so many babies. We never know how many children we will be blessed with enjoy the ones you have now. Be an in the moment Mom or Dad.

5. Not all lessons in life are pain free. The good Lord knew what he was doing as He created each and every relationship and as I let go a little bit He is gently reminding me of how fleeting life is, how quickly it all goes. Daddy’s deployment day is approaching, the new baby will be arriving and a new season comes. Nothing is permanent and the troubles I had day one are a distant reminder of the person He has shaped me to be.

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How I Love It

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The weekends when he is home are heaven. Usually they involve a break for Mommy and a long bath. Those little moments stolen away alone to just be…without noise. The moments flowing with kind words of encouragement from my spouse who finally is allowed a day to slow down.
It is in these quiet moments that I find peace in the imperfection of life.
Just as the great Creator accepts us, wholly and in light of our past sins, marriage is built. Someone to accept you and your love. Imperfect and beautiful in all its intention. Someone to pick up your spirits in the light of a utterly boring or depressing week. Grateful to my imperfectly perfect Husband for his love and kindness. When others fail to encourage a partner that is there in love. And I am grateful to God for the gentle reminder of who I should be in this union in return.
Wishing you a love filled weekend break that will encourage and recharge you as well.

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Roast Chicken Repurposed Ten Ways

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Mmm…how I craved one tonight! I bought a small five pound bird for a small price and am already considering all the things I can make with the leftovers. As I stated in my guest post on moneysavingmom.com I love cooking chicken. It can be repurposed so many ways. Here are my top ten.
1. Sliced Chicken and gravy. This was one of my Mother’s third day leftover favorites. After serving the Chicken for two days she would often whip up her favorite gravy with flour, chicken stock and butter in a skillet on the stove. She would then simmer the meat for a few minutes to repurpose it into a whole new meal!
2. Chicken salad sandwich. There are a million go to varieties of this meal. My preferred having low fat mayo, diced red grapes and celery on a whole wheat roll.
3. Chicken soup. After picking all meat off the bone you can add noodles, a variety of vegetables and the chicken to stock you easily have a kitchen go to!
4. Chicken tacos. After having made these using a variety of spices I discovered my husbands favorite using McCormick’s spicy taco packets and very small pieces of diced chicken breasts.
5. Chicken fajitas. Again these can be made simply with a pre made spice packet in you grocery aisle and a few other ingredients.
6. Chicken and dumplings. Left over roast chicken is perfect for this recipe!
7. Chicken and enchiladas. Also a great use for leftovers for here.
8. Classic chicken sandwich. I love shaved chicken breast, mayo, tomato and lettuce on wheat bread. The real reason my “eating for two” self roasted a chicken tonight. Amazing!!
9. Chopped chicken salad. Veggies get a protein kick with this addition.
10. A chicken casserole. With the meat already made you can easily whip one up in less than 30 minutes in one pan. An ideal meal.

By buying a whole chicken instead of breasts you can save up to 50% off. With a little creativity and a few on hand ingredients you can serve the cooked meat many different ways before you family tires of frugality. What are your favorite ways to repurpose a chicken?

Day In, Day Out

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To put it frankly the life of a Military stay at home mother and wife can be very bland many days. We haven’t a great deal of close relations around us or life long friends nearby. We don’t have a history with most places we live. So on days when things go a little south it is easy to become inverted. Today is one of those days.
I was blessed enough to have the foresight to marry a man that understood “in sickness and in health” would occasionally mean bringing home supper for his ailed wife. That was the highlight of my day. I composed myself enough to shower and dress without my makeup or hair done, something I vowed I’d never do just because I had children. However, today sank me. I laid on the couch and listened to soothing music most of the day while sipping Ginger ale and eating rice cakes. If it weren’t for this wicked sore throat today would have been the epitome of relaxation.
Being so far from family I was on my own with my little teething monster today. In between gagging sessions and coughing fits I managed to laugh at his goofy grin. Not to mention the way he manages to fit a whole building block in his mouth before producing such a grin.
It is funny when you see things around you clearly, the bad days don’t seem bad.
Hubby came home to help tonight-check. We have a roof over our heads and food to eat- check. Our health- well I’ll say check just the same. God is good. All the time.

Some More Things…

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Last night was HARD. I was up until 3 am with My Sweets comforting him through my nauseous haze. We sat and rocked in every chair in the house and cuddled until he finally found comfort.  Through it all I remembered back to the days before he was a part of our lives. I remember the loss of our first baby. Being told we could not conceive naturally. Having my beautiful loving sister offer to one day, if we needed her to, carry our child.

So much is taken for granted in the waking hours. When sleep is few and far between I could catch my breath to curse the clock or I could soak in this little blessing. He only found comfort in me last night. No matter what we went through to reach this day it was worth it. I know everyday that passes with him in our life is a gift. I hope to smile in all the bad times for the memories I made last night. Carrying our second blessing while holding our first, I looked around and found myself so grateful for where I am in life.

Never give up in your journey towards what you want. It will come when you are ready to receive it in gratitude.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

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Here is another comfort food idea that takes little effort.

Ingredients list:

1lb -2lb chicken- depending on how much you want to make. I usually do a double batch of 2 lb chicken. You can use any cut but the breast meat, in my opinion, tastes the best.

2 cups-4 cups shredded Mexican cheese (this is the four cheese you see in the market)

Corn tortillas

Enchilada sauce 2 large cans. My husband prefers the sauce hot so I will buy one can mild and one hot so it is not too overpowering.

Diced black olives (optional)

Preheat oven 350. Boil chicken until cooked, cool and shred. Place chicken on a plate, cheese on another plate ( and I usually mix the olives with the cheese), enchilada sauce on a plate. Take a tortilla and dip each side in the sauce fill with about half a cup shredded chicken and add cheese (optional olives) as well. Roll up and place in baking pan. Repeat this process until your pan is lined with tortillas. Top with extra sauce and cheese and cover with tin foil. We like ours extra gooey! Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling. Remove foil and allow to cool. Serve with refried beans and/or rice. yummy!

Weekly Roundout

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This was an amazing weekend. My little family and I ventured out to eat, enjoyed the backyard fire pit with some friends and rejoiced in His word. How did your week go?

The past weeks goal completion:

1. Find decorations for my sweets Birthday celebrations praise hobby lobby! I adore that I found so many of the necessities here for less than I could find them online. I am a fan!

2. Post 5 day spring cleaning guide.

3. Take a picture a day for the week.

4. Try 2 new dinner recipes.

5. Find a cupcake recipe for my sweets party! I am leaning towards classic lemon or chocolate. Decisions decisions!

6. Update Mommy tummy challenge.

7. Walk 7 miles.

Goals for this week:

1. Try one new recipe.

2. Exercise 30 minutes everyday.

3. Outline our Easter brunch menu.

4. Return to my neglected quilt.

5. Complete menu planning for the upcoming Birthday party!

6. Finish the Money Saving Mom’s Budget audiobook.

7. Update Mommy tummy challenge.

8. Begin I Dare You by Joyce Meyer

What are your goals this week? Let’s begin!

Welcome Monday!

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If that chipper greeting has you wanting to hide back under the covers I am sorry, but  feeling extra blessed today. The baby woke up six plus times last night for his sixth tooth, I had to wash My Sweets sheets very early this morning (fun), my husband didn’t have a chance to eat breakfast and I have to bustle out to store to get a few things I forgotten (eep) before everyone is let out for lunch (serious traffic at lunch time on an Army base, don’t mess with a solider and his food!). How am I feeling blessed after the lack of sleep and aromatic greeting (!) this morning? God has given our little family another day together.

I can focus on the negative of what the day has already held or I can begin counting every blessing. When I take inventory of everything God has provided, everything past a need, I can’t help but feel so blessed today and everyday. I am not trying to minimize the suffering many people are going through. I know there are some people really hurting, we all have things we don’t share. But know that God placed you here and now for a purpose. You were no accident and were created with love. To change the world? Maybe! So join me in setting our resolve to make a positive impact on the day and work to bless others.

Come what may, we always have today!